If nobody buys homes, have prices stabilized? - 08/28/11 05:07 PM
According to Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota, Inc. data, the number of sold units in the one year period between August 15, 2010 and the same date in 2011 have decreased by about 13% to levels close to the same periods in 2006 and 2007.  Home price data can be debated and molded to fit whatever position one would like to support, but the number of closed sales is hard to refute.
The housing industry is not in good shape by any reasonable measurement, and there is nothing being done to address the problem.  There are various assistance programs that … (4 comments)

Strategic default is often desperation default, and it doesn't have to happen - 08/27/11 10:16 AM
I had a discussion with a past client couple who are probably going to give up on making payments on their home.  They are the stereotypical first time buyers of the middle of the decade, buying a two bedroom townhouse that was a perfect starter home.  There were some employment valleys after which they refinanced their way out of short term debt, and now there are a couple additions to the family.  Their home is now too small to live comfortably.
They are so far underwater that they are about to give up hope of ever recovering, and they need more … (6 comments)

Which of these two plans will fix the problem? - 08/25/11 09:45 AM
There are some issues in our economy that need to be addressed.  One, perhaps not the most urgent, but certainly one reason for the sluggishness is lack of investment money in the stock and bond markets.  Let's look at a couple potential government programs and evaluate their possible effectiveness.
First, there are many poor people in America who just can't afford to invest in the stock market, or have lost their life savings through investing in the wrong place at the wrong time.  If each of them put $100.000 into publicly traded equities, the market would soar.  The government could assist … (4 comments)

Northfield schools begin classes September 6 - 08/23/11 01:35 PM
Independent School District 659 classes start in just a couple weeks.  The day after Labor Day, or the day after the State Fair ends, will once again mark the beginning of the countdown to June 1, 2012, the last day of classes. 
The entire school calendar is posted online at the District 659 website.  Check it out here:  school calendar.  The school year is 174 days long for the students who are counting, and there are only three months, February, April and May, with more than nineteen days of classes.
Plan your getaway weekends now.  The teacher convention break will be … (2 comments)

Rosemount - Apple Valley - Eagan school District 196 School Board Elections - 08/21/11 01:42 PM
This is an odd year which means that there will be a school board election in Independent School District 196.  The requirements for serving on the board seem fairly simple, be eligible to vote, be at least 21 years old, live in the district, and don't register as a convicted sex offender.  Seven people have filed as candidates in this year's election.  Four are incumbents, and they are facing three challengers.  The school board election will be Tuesday, November 8.
There is also one board member, Kevin Sampers, who has announced his resignation, and the remaining years of his term which … (0 comments)

Rosemount - Apple Valley - Eagan school starts September 6 - 08/21/11 12:53 PM
Independent School District 196 classes start in just a couple weeks.  The day after Labor Day, or the day after the State Fair ends, will once again mark the beginning of the countdown to June 8, 2012, the last day of classes. 
The entire school calendar is posted online at the District 196 website.  Check it out here:  school calendar.  The school year is 174 days long for the students who are counting, and there are only two months, April and May, with more than nineteen days of classes.
Plan your getaway weekends now if they include reservations of any kind.  … (0 comments)

Minnesota State Fair 2011 - 08/18/11 02:21 PM
The end of summer brings the Minnesota State Fair, held annually on Labor Day and the eleven days preceding it.  From August 25 through September 5, this year, somewhere near 1.7 million people will attend the end of summer party which showcases Minnesota's agriculture, art, and industry.  If you've been there, you know that it is big and it has more than anyone can see in a day or two.  If you haven't had the pleasure of attending the fair, it would be worth a try. 
You can divide the fair into a few general parts.  There's exhibits, fun stuff to … (2 comments)

Tim Pawlenty officially begins his vice presidential campaign - 08/14/11 10:10 AM
Ex-governor Tim Pawlenty has ended his (sort of) campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.  It seemed obvious that he was really trying to run for vice president all along, but his withdrawal from the horse race for the top spot makes it a little more obvious.
Pawlenty was beaten in the votes-for-sale spectacle that Iowa calls a straw poll.  You had to pay $30 to vote in the poll, but some candidates were picking up the tab for their supporters.  The voting carnival looked like a lot of fun, and it made me wish for a minute or two that I … (3 comments)

2010 Chrysler Town & Country for sale -- Perfect for TEA Party member - 08/13/11 04:54 PM

This one-owner car has less than 8,000 miles on it and is available only because of the owner's decision to get a car with two sides.  For those only interested in the right, this is the perfect vehicle.
My wife was driving down a rural highway when a dump truck driver decided that it was time to try to cross the road.  He had stopped at the sign and apparently was too busy to look to see if there was any cross traffic.  He pulled into the intersection when she was too close to stop.  The dump truck was sufficiently … (9 comments)

Dakota County Fair August 8-14 - 08/06/11 11:25 AM
Dakota County Fair will be held next week, August 8-14, at the fairgrounds in Farmington.  If you want to save a few dollars, either enlist in the armed forces and show up at the fair on August 10, or find a way to be sixty or more years old and attend on August 11.  Wednesday, August 10, is Military Day at the fair, and all military personnel and their families receive free admission and free parking.  If you're old enough, Thursday August 11 is your day.  On Senior Day, all attendees age 60 or better receive free admission and free parking.
… (1 comments)

Maybe a first for me -- unaffected, unbiased political observer - 08/05/11 12:40 PM
Among other aspects of its heritage, the state of Wisconsin is known for its great circus legacy.  The Ringling Brothers Circus was founded in Baraboo, WI.  At one time in the 1800's, over a hundred circuses located to Wisconsin for their winter off-season.  My grandfather, who grew up in Green Bay, once ran away from home and joined the Ringling Brothers Circus.  The circus parade in Milwaukee was an event worth traveling to see, and it should be reinstated as an annual event.
Today, besides the wonderful attraction, Circus World, Wisconsin seems to have another circus.  The recall election campaigns of … (4 comments)

Zestimates -- perhaps a little inaccurate at times? - 08/02/11 02:07 PM
Just checked out my own home on Zillow and there was some surprising information.  Zillow managed to get the right aerial photo and street address, but not much else.  As of today, my home on eight acres is located on 2.59 acres and is worth $106,900.  I should really be calling the county assessor's office quickly.  I'm also mowing way too much grass.
The home was worth a little more six months ago -- $365,000, and still more on January 1, 2010 -- $542,000.  There was a period of time between January 2010 and January 2011 when the Zestimate dropped to … (8 comments)